Headlines
- disappointment as Jesus Puras (Citroen) retires due to engine
failure on the first stage of Leg 2. Puras was second outright
after Leg 1
- the Toyota Corollas continue their excellent performance and
are running 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
- Liatti retires due to engine/turbo failure. He has been plagued
with turbo problems throughout the event.
- Gonholm retires after hittin a rock and damaging suspension
- Carlos Sainz had a much better day on his home event and lies
in third.
- tyre performance and punctures are proving critical as expected
- Auriol has the advantage of being the first on the road
and therefore avoiding much of the dirt flicked up by other
cars.
- both Fords experienced brake problems

Stage 8 La Riba 32,72km
Start Time: 10:09
Notes:
- Puras (Citroën): Stopped in the middle of the stage. He spills
oil on the road because of a hole in his sump. Puras’ incident
causes problems to the rest of the drivers due to the oil on
the tarmac.
- Liatti (Subaru): Problems with the turbo: needs more power.
- Loix (Toyota): Very satisfied. Raced toughly through the entire stage.
- Auriol (Toyota): A very tough stage for the tires.
- Panizzi (Peugeot): "Very difficult stage, but I went pretty fast".
- Bugalski (Citroën): "I didn’t run too well. I couldn’t concentrate
on the stage because of the oil spilled by Puras. The road was
very slippery".
- Sainz (Toyota): "The car went much better than yesterday".
- Climent (Renault):He worn the tires out.
- Kankkunen (Ford): Blocked brakes during part of the stage.
He went at his own pace.

Stage 9 Prades 13,77km
Start Time: 11:13
Notes:
- Panizzi (Peugeot): "It has been a good stage, but it was a
bit slippery".
- Loix (Toyota): "The car goes fine and I’m satisfied".
- Auriol (Toyota): "It has been a difficult stage, with a very
slippery firm. I could have made a better time. The car skidded
several times".
- Burns (Mitsubishi): "Everything is going fine. The last part
of the stage is very fast and I really liked it. I’m really
enjoying this rally".
- Bugalski (Citroën): "The car span at the back". He will have
to modify the setup.
- Kankkunen (Ford): "This is not going right. I have too many
problems".
- Liatti (Subaru): Upset. Continues having problems with the turbo.
- McRae (Subaru): "I know perfectly how the day is going: wrong"
- Grönholm (Toyota): Stopped between controls 5 and 6 due to a breakdown.
- Sainz (Toyota): "Better than yesterday, but not fully satisfied.
We will try to increase the suspension. In this stage I almost
went off the track again.

Stage 10 El Priorat 20,67km
Start Time: 12:18
Notes:
- Auriol (Toyota): "I drove well, although I had not run in
this stage since 1995".
- Loix (Toyota): "The road was very dirty. The tires were at
their limit".
- Sainz (Toyota): "The car arrived well, although in the final
part there was a lot of dirt on the bends".
- Burns (Mitsubishi): "Auriol has the advantage of being first
and doesn’t find gravel on the road".
- McRae (Subaru): Very upset. Doesn’t want to make any declarations.
- Kankkunen and Thiry (Ford): Problems with the brakes.

Stage 11 Sta. Marina 27,47km
Start Time: 13:09
Notes:
- Liatti (Subaru) has recovered and finished third.
- Bugalski (Citroën): I really liked it. I could have fought
more because the tires have endured very well".
- Liatti (Subaru): "The engine works a lot better".
- Auriol (Toyota): Keeps the pace and shows no problems. "It has
been a very nice stage, but not easy at all because in the
training sessions, we could only go by three times".
- Burns (Mitsubishi): "It’s been a difficult stage, especially
in the middle part. I’m very tired and I’m beginning to feel
the heat".
- Nittel (Mitsubishi): "My tires are very worn out and I cannot
attack".
- Thiry (Ford): Has problems with the brakes which he’ll try
to solve in the Tivissa service park.
- Climent (Renault): "I had tire problems all morning long. We
don’t have harder tires, so we lose a lot of time".

Stage 12 La Figuera - Escaladei 45,57km
Start Time: 15:04
Notes:
- Liatti (Subaru): Retires due to a breakdown. His vehicle
didn’t work during the entire rally.
- Auriol (Toyota): "Very difficult for the tires. This stage
will set the differences in the classification".
- Bugalski (Citroën):"I’m very happy. The car and the wheels
have resisted very well".
- Sainz (Toyota): "It’s a shame that we punctured, since that
made us lose time. But we didn’t do that bad. Our goal is
still to chase Auriol"
- Loix (Toyota): "The car and the tires have held through very
well. I made a good time that will let me keep the second
position in the overall classification".
- McRae (Subaru): Arrived to the finish line without the tire
of the front right wheel.
- Climent (Renault): Could not finish the stage. He had a strong
blow in the front right side of the car and lost one of his wheels.

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